Back Pain

Alpenglow Pain & Wellness

Board Certified Interventional Pain Management Physicians & Board Certified Anesthesiologists located in Anchorage, AK

Back Pain

Back pain can greatly interfere with your daily life, mobility, and overall functioning. Whether your symptoms are caused by injury, degeneration, inflammation, or nerve irritation, chronic and acute back pain can make even simple activities difficult.

At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness in Anchorage, Alaska, Nichelle C. Renk, MD, who is board-certified in anesthesiology and interventional pain management, and Gavin Nixon, DO, who is board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, provide comprehensive, patient-centered care for back pain. From lifestyle modifications and conservative therapies to advanced interventional pain management and regenerative medicine treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, our providers take the time to understand your condition and create a personalized treatment plan focused on long-term relief and improved quality of life.

907-677-7246

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain can develop from a variety of conditions affecting the muscles, joints, discs, nerves, and supporting structures of the spine.

Common causes include:

Herniated or bulging discs
Sciatica and nerve irritation
Degenerative disc disease
Arthritis of the spine
Facet joint pain
Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
Spinal stenosis
Muscle strain and ligament injury
Osteoporosis and compression fractures
Poor posture and repetitive stress injuries

Back pain may occur suddenly after an injury or gradually worsen over time due to wear and tear on the spine.

Symptoms of Back Pain

Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying condition and may include:

Dull, aching pain
Sharp or stabbing discomfort
Muscle tightness or spasms
Pain that radiates into the hips or legs
Numbness or tingling
Weakness in the legs
Pain that worsens with standing, walking, bending, or lifting

Some patients experience acute back pain lasting a few days or weeks, while others develop chronic pain that persists for several months or longer.

Risk Factors for Back Pain

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing back pain, including:

Aging and spinal degeneration
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Repetitive lifting or physical labor
Poor posture
Smoking and tobacco use
Stress, anxiety, and poor sleep quality

Smoking can also reduce blood flow and nutrient delivery to the spinal discs, slowing healing and contributing to degeneration over time.

Back Pain Treatments

At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness, Dr. Renk and Dr. Nixon use advanced diagnostic evaluation and imaging to determine the source of your pain and create a customized treatment plan.

Treatment options may include:

Conservative Therapies

Physical therapy and corrective exercise
Lifestyle and ergonomic modifications
Nutritional support and supplements
Bracing and supportive devices
Acupuncture and integrative therapies
Pain psychology and stress management
Limited medication management when appropriate

Interventional Pain Management

Epidural steroid injections
Facet joint injections
Medial branch blocks
Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections
Trigger point injections
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Cooled radiofrequency treatment
Spinal cord stimulation
Minimally invasive image-guided procedures

Regenerative Medicine

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

Our goal is to help reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve your overall quality of life using evidence-based, minimally invasive treatments whenever possible.

If back pain is affecting your daily activities or preventing you from living comfortably, contact Alpenglow Pain & Wellness today to schedule a consultation.

What we offer